Audio Transducer With Electrostatic Discharge Protection

• US 20150304776A1
• Filed: 04/17/2014
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Backman, Juha Reinhold, Ozcan, Koray
• Granted Patent: US 10,448,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/00 Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2207/00 Details of diaphragms or cones for electromechanical transducers or their suspension covered by H04R7/00 but not provided for in H04R7/00 or in H04R2307/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/49 Reducing the effects of electromagnetic noise on the functioning of hearing aids, by, e.g. shielding, signal processing adaptation, selective (de)activation of electronic parts in hearing aid
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2307/027 Diaphragms comprising metallic materials
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2307/204 Material aspects of the outer suspension of loudspeaker diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2400/11 Aspects regarding the frame of loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 31/003 for diaphragms or their outer suspension
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/00 Diaphragms for electromechanical transducers in general F16J3/00; Cones for musical instruments G10 cones, diaphragms or the like, for emitting or receiving sound in general G10K13/00; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 7/20 Securing diaphragm or cone resiliently to support by flexible material, springs, cords, or strands
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 9/06 Loudspeakers

Abstract

An apparatus including a transducer configured to generate sound, where the transducer comprises a diaphragm. At least one portion of the transducer is electrically conductive and is configured to provide an electrical connectivity to a ground. The at least one portion, at least in part, circumferences the diaphragm.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a transducer configured to generate sound, wherein the transducer comprises a diaphragm, where at least one portion of the transducer is electrically conductive and is configured to provide an electrical connectivity to a ground, where the at least one portion, at least in part, circumferences the diaphragm.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the transducer further comprises a surround connected to the diaphragm, where the surround comprises the at least one portion which is electrically conductive, where the surround is configured to be electrically connected to the ground.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the diaphragm comprises electrically conductive material which is electrically connected to the at least one portion.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the at least one portion comprises at least one of:

the sound transducer diaphragm,

a surround,

a gasket,

a frame or chassis of the sound transducer,

a cover of the sound transducer,

an electrically conductive coating on at least one of the diaphragm, the surround, the gasket, the frame or chassis, an electrically conductive clamp or the cover.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the diaphragm and/or a surround comprises a coating consisting at least one of metal, graphite, and graphene.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 where a surround connected to the diaphragm comprises a resilient section having the at least one portion thereon, where the at least one portion comprises an electrically conductive coating on the resilient section and/or one or more conductive elements embedded with the resilient section.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the at least one portion is on or in a surround, connected to the diaphragm, and comprises at least one of a metallic coating, embedded conductive fibers, or conductive strips.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 where the diaphragm and a surround connected to the diaphragm comprise a common one-piece member.

9. A device comprising:

the apparatus as in claim 1; and

at least one other member electrically connected to the at least one portion, where the at least one other member connects the at least one portion to the ground.

10. A device as in claim 9 where the at least one other member comprises at least one of an electrically conductive member of a sound transducer frame, an electrically conductive member of a sound transducer magnet assembly, an electrically conductive gasket, an electrically conductive clamp, and an electrically conductive printed wiring board connector.

11. A device as in claim 9 where the at least one portion comprises an electrical connection area, and where the at least one other member is connected to the electrical connection area.

12. A device as in claim 9 further comprising:

at least one printed wiring board having the ground;

an electrical display connected to the at least one printed wiring board;

a receiver connected to the at least one printed wiring board;

a transmitter connected to the at least one printed wiring board;

a processor connected to the at least one printed wiring board;

a memory connected to the at least one printed wiring board; and

a battery connected to the at least one printed wiring board.

13. A method comprising:

providing a transducer configured to generate sound, wherein the transducer comprises a diaphragm;

positioning at least one portion, which is electrically conductive, at close proximity to the diaphragm; and

electrically connecting the at least one portion to at least one electrical conductor, where the at least one electrical conductor is configured to connect the at least one portion to a ground when the at least one electrical conductor is connected to the ground.

14. A method as in claim 13 further comprising connecting a surround to the diaphragm comprising electrically connecting an electrically conductive section of the diaphragm to the at least one portion using the surround, where the surround is at least in part electrically conductive.

15. A method as in claim 13 where the diaphragm and/or a surround is provided with a coating including at least one of metal, graphite, and graphene.

16. A method as in claim 13 where a surround connected to the diaphragm comprises a resilient section having the at least one portion thereon, where the at least one portion comprises an electrically conductive coating on the resilient section and/or one or more conductive elements embedded with the resilient section.

17. A method as in claim 13 where the at least one portion is on a surround connected to the diaphragm and the surround comprises at least one of a metallic coating, embedded conductive fibers, or conductive strips.

18. A method as in claim 13 where the at least one electrical conductor comprises at least one of an electrically conductive member of a sound transducer frame, an electrically conductive member of a sound transducer magnet assembly, an electrically conductive gasket, an electrically conductive clamp, and an electrically conductive printed wiring board connector.

19. A method as in claim 13 further comprising electrically connecting the at least one electrical conductor to a printed wiring board.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a sound transducer diaphragm; and

a surround connected to the diaphragm, where the surround comprises at least one portion which is electrically conductive, where the at least one portion is configured to be electrically connected to a ground.